CVE-2026-71612 in GPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
Buffer Overflow vulnerability in GPAC c2dee3aff638cd96f9617ac5b17dc2868cd90ef3 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code via the nhntdmx_process() function. Fixed in fac50e6a12ac27ffabdd5d3080b51afcc44ad8d6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability identified within the GPAC multimedia framework, specifically linked to commit c2dee3aff638cd96f9617ac5b17dc2868cd90ef3, represents a critical buffer overflow condition located in the nhntdmx_process function. This component is responsible for handling NHD (Nokia High Definition) media format demultiplexing operations. The core technical flaw stems from insufficient boundary checks when processing input data streams that conform to or mimic this specific container format. When an attacker supplies a specially crafted malicious file, the application fails to validate the length of incoming buffers against the allocated memory space before copying data into it. This lack of rigorous validation allows for writing beyond the intended buffer limits, overwriting adjacent memory structures on the stack or heap depending on the internal implementation details at the time of the vulnerability's existence.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-120, which classifies buffer copy without checking size limitations as a fundamental category of software errors leading to memory corruption. The exploitation vector typically involves tricking the parser into processing an NHD file where specific header fields or payload segments are manipulated to exceed expected dimensions. By carefully crafting these inputs, an attacker can overwrite critical control data such as return addresses, function pointers, or exception handlers stored in nearby memory locations. This manipulation of program flow allows for the injection and execution of arbitrary machine code with the privileges of the user running the GPAC application. The severity is heightened by the fact that multimedia parsers are often invoked automatically when opening files, potentially allowing remote code execution without direct user interaction beyond file selection or even through automated media scanning services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, although crashes resulting from memory corruption remain a common immediate symptom if exploitation fails to achieve full control flow hijacking. Successful exploitation grants the attacker complete arbitrary code execution capabilities within the context of the vulnerable process. This can lead to comprehensive system compromise, including data exfiltration, installation of persistent backdoors, or lateral movement across networks if the compromised host is part of a larger infrastructure. Given that GPAC is often used in professional media production and streaming environments, the presence of such a vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on automated processing pipelines for video content ingestion and transformation.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the patch introduced in commit fac50e6a12ac27ffabdd5d3080b51afcc44ad8d6, which addresses the root cause by implementing proper bounds checking within the nhntdmx_process function. Organizations should ensure that their GPAC installations are updated to versions containing this fix immediately. In addition to patching, defense-in-depth measures such as enabling Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP) can mitigate exploitation success rates by making it harder for attackers to predict memory layouts or execute injected code directly from data segments. Furthermore, restricting the execution of untrusted media files through sandboxed environments or using dedicated secure parsers that validate input strictly before processing can reduce the attack surface significantly. Monitoring network traffic and file access patterns for anomalies related to NHD format parsing may also aid in detecting attempted exploitation activities in real-time.